Despite the pleasures of a three-day weekend, the second Monday in October has a highly contentious history. Although it was not celebrated at the federal level until 1934, the commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage became widespread at a time of intense anti-immigrant—particularly anti-Asian—sentiment. As historian Malinda Maynor Lowery put it, in the late 1800s,…
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honoring Caroline Parker, Haudenosaunee Artist
October 8, 2021
Despite the pleasures of a three-day weekend, the second Monday in October has a highly contentious history. Although it was not celebrated at the federal level until 1934, the commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage became widespread at a time of intense anti-immigrant—particularly anti-Asian—sentiment. As historian Malinda Maynor Lowery put it, in the late 1800s,…
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“An Unstoppable Locomotive:” New Acquisitions Highlight Black Women’s Art and History
May 3, 2021
In 2008, Alison Saar’s statue Swing Low became the first public monument to an African American woman in New York City. Located in Harlem, it honors Harriet Tubman, the celebrated African American abolitionist who self-emancipated in 1849 and repeatedly risked her life to complete an estimated (and astonishing) 13 trips back to her native Maryland…
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She Said, and the World Listened: Breaking News in the #MeToo Era
April 28, 2021
Women have faced sexual harassment and abuse in their places of work for decades, if not centuries. But it is only in recent years that popular and media attention has focused on it in a sustained fashion and has forced tangible consequences for abusers. As part of our 2021 virtual Diane and Adam E. Max Conference…
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Moms Mabley: “The Funniest Woman in the World”
April 14, 2021
For fans of the Emmy-award winning series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, on Amazon Prime Video that traces the fictional stand-up comedy career of a former housewife in the 1950s, much of the show’s excitement comes from its colorful portrayals of real-life comedy legends. In the season three finale, viewers are treated to a night at…
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“I’ll Be Fierce for All of Us:” Deb Haaland Makes History as Secretary of the Interior
March 22, 2021
On March 15, 2021, the Senate confirmed Deb Haaland (b. 1960) an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo and a 35th generation New Mexican, as the first Native American Cabinet Secretary. She was sworn in as Secretary of the Interior on March 18 while wearing a traditional ribbon skirt, moccasins, and silver and turquoise jewelry….
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Celebrating Women’s History Month: “Breaking News, Breaking Barriers”
March 11, 2021
Although every month is women’s history month at the Center for Women’s History, we’re thrilled to honor this month’s celebration with the kick-off keynote of our Diane and Adam E. Max Conference on Women’s History. Our virtual 2021 conference, Breaking News, Breaking Barriers: Women in American Journalism, features a mix of pre-recorded “keynote conversations” and…
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